November 4 Sunday – Sam wrote from Hartford to Howells, further explaining his telegram of the previous day:

“…Mrs. Clemens has a menagerie on her hands from now till Tuesday Evening—the preparation & achievement of a big lunch party of old ladies to meet her mother.”

Sam had not been able to come to terms with John T. Raymond for a part in the new play, and had instructed Webster to find another actor. Sam had a plan up his sleeve [MTHL 1: 447-8]. He called again at the telegraph office expecting a telegram, but it was not there (see Nov. 7 entry).

Orion Clemens finished Nov. 3 letter [MTP].